SHROPSHIRE Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the Government’s new ‘Skills for Jobs’ white paper for putting the needs of businesses at the heart of further education.

“We are acutely aware of the important role which our county’s further education centres play in shaping the skills agenda for current needs,” said Richard Sheehan, Shropshire Chamber’s chief executive

“And any Government initiatives which put the skills needs of businesses at the heart of the further education system can only be celebrated as a hugely positive move.

“We already have close working relationships with our further education colleges and training providers, and are committed to working as closely as possible with them for the good of the Shropshire economy.”

The white paper sets out plans to simplify and streamline the complex FE funding system, and proposes a greater role for employer groups such as Shropshire Chamber to help shape the courses on offer.

It suggests that employers should have a central role in designing the majority of technical courses by 2030.